Train Mystery - Alexander Eastman never made it to Koo Wee Rup

In June 1919, Alexander Gordon Eastman and his aunt, Miss Annie Maria Smith, boarded the 6.30pm Gippsland train at Hawksburn, bound for Koo Wee Rup, where they were going to stay with another aunt, Mrs Thompson. Alexander never made it, his body was found on the roof of  a carriage, when the train arrived at Korumburra. The Coroner called it a most extraordinary case and in the end decided that there was no foul play. 

Did the Coroner get it right? There are two reports in The Argus, that cover the incident - they are transcribed, below, so you can make your own mind up. There is some information about the family at the bottom of this post.

The Argus June 10, 1919

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1477101

TRAIN MYSTERY.

BODY IDENTIFIED.

Gold Ring Missing from Finger.

What is regarded by the detectives as one of the most remarkable sets of mysterious circumstances met with for some time surrounds the death of Alexander Eastman, whose dead body was found on the roof of a railway carriage when the Melbourne train arrived at Korumburra late on Saturday night. Detective-sergeant Sullivan was sent to Korumburra yesterday to investigate the case, but up to late hour last night no information was received at headquarters which would indicate that the solution of the mystery was nearer. Constable C. G. Marchasi arrived from Korumburra last night with the body of Eastman, which was identified by his brother, and was taken to the City Morgue, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted today. 

Miss Annie Smith, Eastman's aunt, who left Melbourne with him with the intention of spending the week-end with another aunt, Mrs. Thompson at Koo-wee-rup was interviewed by the police at Koo-wee-rup on her arrival there on Saturday night. From her it has been learned that Eastman boarded the 6.30 p.m. Gippsland train with her at Hawksburn, and had with him a rifle and handbag. When the train reached Dandenong her nephew left the compartment in which they were travelling, saying that a friend of his was on the train, and that he desired to have a chat with him. Miss Smith did not see the young man again. He had her ticket as well as his own in his pocket, and on reaching Koo-wee-rup she made inquiries as to his whereabouts, and found that he was not on the train. She thought that he had missed the train when it left Dandenong, and would follow by another.

The police have learned that Mr. S. A. Marchbanks, of Vickery street, East Caulfield, who was a passenger on the train that reached Korumburra at about 10 o'clock, expressed the opinion that the body found on the roof was that of a young man to whom he had spoken on the platform at a station between Dandenong and Koo-wee-rup. Mr. Marchbanks asked him if he had seen a bag for which he was searching, but received no reply. 

A puzzling feature about the case, which seems to suggest foul play, is the fact that a gold band ring having Eastman's initials (A.G.E.) engraven upon it, which Miss Smith says he was wearing on the little finger of the left hand at Dandenong, was missing when the body was found. He had had the ring for some considerable time, and it fitted too well to permit of its dropping off. On leaving Melbourne, also, he had much more money than the 3½d. found in his pockets. The theory of robbery is, however, weakened by the fact that a gold and a silver watch, which had both stopped at about 10 minutes past 7, remained in his vest pockets, while gold links were still in his shirt sleeves.

In bright moonlight the fireman on the train, Frederick Mills, noticed the body lying on the sloping portion of the roof of the carriage just behind the engine tender. The lead was nearly 2ft. below the level of the feet, and the steel flange of the folding leather passage-way alone prevented the body from falling into the tender. Death had occurred only a very short time previously, as the body was warm and the night was bitterly cold. The train had passed under four or five railway bridges, but if the man struck his head against one of them it is regarded as practically certain that he would have been thrown off the carriage roof. The youth's hands, which were in his overcoat pockets, were blackened with soot, but it is thought that this came from the roof of the carriage, suggesting that he had been on his hands and knees on the roof. An examination of the interior of the compartment below showed that it would have been a comparatively easy matter for an agile person to draw himself on to the roof from a ledge above the door at the end of the corridor.

The Argus  June 26, 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1482558

TRAIN MYSTERY.

DEPUTY CORONER'S FINDING.

No Foul Play.

An inquiry was held yesterday at the Morgue by Mr A H Phillips J.P, deputy coroner, into the circumstances surrounding the death of a young man, Alexander Gordon Eastman, whose body was found on the roof of a railway carriage at Korumburra on June 7.

Herman Eastman, a brother, said that deceased was 21 years of age, sturdily built with keen faculties. He drank little. Witness had lent him a rifle for use on a weekend visit to Koo-wee-rup. On the journey he was to meet a man named Morrison, either at Caulfield or Dandenong.

Dr C.H Mollison gave evidence in regard to the post mortem examination which showed that death was due to suffocation, the result of regurgitation of food into the air passages. In answer to Sub-inspector Wardley, witness said that suffocation could not have been caused by fumes from the engine.

Annie Maria Smith, an aunt of deceased, said that she and her nephew left Hawksburn together at 6.30 on the night of the tragedy they changed trains at Caulfield for Koo-wee-rup. At Dandenong he left the train to see his mate, and she saw him standing at the carriage door talking. At Koo-wee-rup she went to the smoking carriage to look for him, but could not find him. He had carried a Gladstone bag but there was nothing to eat or drink in it. They had dined before leaving home. She did not think that he had got out at any wayside stations for drink.

Thomas A. Marchbank, sawmiller, of Ruby, a passenger said that after the train left Dandenong he went along to a first-class compartment to look for his bag and inquired of a man there, the sole occupant, who seemed a bit confused and did not answer. On arrival at Korumburra, on hearing there was a man on the roof of the carriage, witness went up to see, and afterwords identified the body as that of the man he had seen in the carriage.

Detective-sergeant P. Sullivan said that said that at the time of his inquiries on June 9 he was not aware that there was a van between the carriage and the tender, but he had since learned that the van was taken off at Nyora. His theory was that deceased, finding the corridor door leading to the second-class compartment locked, and probably thinking that Marchbank was a railway official who would raise a question on his ticket, climbed to the roof at the engine end as a temporary place for concealment. He may have become frightened at an overhead bridge some 300 yards from Clyde, and in lowering his body struck his chin and became sick. To Sub-inspector Wardley - By means of the steps at the end of the van he could easily have crossed to the carriage top.

Charles James, guard on the train, said that he thought that it would be impossible to see the bridge on a dark night.

John F. W. Miles, engine fireman said that after leaving Nyora he noticed that the siding door of the concertina buffer was open. When the train was about to shunt at Korumburra the light from a signal-box revealed something on the carriage top, which was afterwards found to be a dead body.

William Ridd, a ganger, stated that the bridge would just knock off a man's hat were he sitting up on the carriage roof. It was quite possible that deceased was about to get down to a crouching position just as the bridge was reached. Witness had found deceased's hat near the spot.

Constable C.G. Marchesi said that when he was called to the carriage at Korumburra the sliding door next to the engine was open. He found on Eastman apart from small personal property, a farthing three half-pence, and a large string pocket knife.

Lavinia Naughton Smith, deceased's aunt said that she was sure that her nephew had a few pounds with him - probably part of his wages and perhaps more, as he had sold a saddle for £4 a short time before.

Frederick Girdlestone, assistant guard deposed that he had personally locked the sliding door before the train reached Dandenong. It could have been opened by a strong pocket knife or railway key.

The deputy coroner remarked that the case was most extraordinary. Whatever the deceased man's intentions were it was impossible to say. There was a good deal in Detective Sullivan's theory. He did not think a robbery occurred. There was no doubt how Eastman had died. He was a decent, hard working young follow and the post-mortem examination had not revealed any mental trouble. That there was no foul play was clearly proved. His verdict was that "on the night of June 7 at Korumburra railway station, Alexander Eastman was found dead on the roof of a railway carriage, having died by suffocation. There is no evidence to show how he got there, but I am of opinion that it was by his own act"

Family information
Alexander was the son of Alexander George Eastman and Sarah Smith, he was born in 1892. Sarah Smith was the daughter of Thomas Smith and Maria Norton and she was born in 1872.  Annie Maria Smith, the aunt travelling with Alexander, was born in 1861 and Lavinia Norton (listed as Naughton in the article) who also gave evidence at the Inquest was born in 1874 - they had nine other siblings as well. Mrs Thompson, whom they were visiting, was, I believe Elizabeth Thompson, who died at the age of 66 in 1919. In the Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages her father is listed as Thomas and her mother as Maria Norton, she was born in 1853 - so that all fits in. Is that why they were going to visit her, because she was sick?

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1919

This is an eclectic look back 100 years at what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1919. 1919 is, of course, the year after the Great War ended on November 11, 1918 and the community was enjoying peace after four years of war. Most of these reports come from the various newspapers available on Trove,   http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of March 12 had an article about the shortage of accommodation for teachers and an interesting solution.
The need for housing accommodation at Koo Wee Rup has long been felt, but it has never been so strongly accentuated as during this week. With the resumption of school on Monday, the local staff of teachers sought to take up their duties. Miss Fargie and Miss Mahony however were unable to secure accommodation at either the Hotel of the Coffee Palace. Nine private residences were also tried, but without avail. The teachers, therefore were left stranded and had no other option but to report themselves to the Education Department for duty on Monday.
The enforced absence of teachers makes a large gap in the staff of the local schools the carrying on of which, placed the head teacher (Mr W. Eason) at his wit’s end. The infant room was closed on Tuesday but was reopened on Wednesday, the head teacher securing the services of Miss Hope Galley, who is well qualified, Miss Fargie is now doing duty at Richmond school.
On making inquiry it appears that the price charged for accommodation is beyond the means of teachers. The department is therefore to blame for not paying them a sufficient salary. Something will have to be done to relive the present situation.

However, on March the 26th the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported that Miss Fargie’s statement that she was unable to find accommodation was absolutely without foundation, according to Mrs O’Brien of the Royal Hotel. Miss Fargie was given, at some inconvenience, a single room at the Hotel and arrangements were made for her to board. Miss Fargie left the Hotel, simply informing one of the employees that she did not intend to remain. It seems likely Miss Fargie had decided that she wanted to get back to the bright lights of the City and not work and live at Koo Wee Rup.

The Royal Hotel (taken in the 1934 flood)  

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society photo

On March 28, the Yannathan Honor was unveiled. It was made from Australian blackwood, was seven feet by five feet in size and had the name of forty-one soldiers. The Board was described thus - The top bears a beautifully carved laurel wreath, which is in itself a creditable piece of work, 3ft across, with the words ‘Pro Patria’ carved thereon. On shields, on both sides of the honor board, appear the names-France, Palestine, Gallipoli and Egypt, and above the centre panel is inscribed ‘Yannathan Honor Roll-They Heard the Call.’ (Koo Wee Rup Sun April 2, 1919, South Bourke and Mornington Journal March 13, 1919)

In June, the body of Alexander Eastman was found on the roof of a train carriage at Korumburra. Alexander had boarded the train with his aunt, Miss Annie Smith at Hawksburn, to spend a weekend with another aunt, Mrs Thompson, of Koo wee Rup. When the train got to Dandenong, Alexander told his aunt that he was meeting up with a man named Morrison, so she travelled on, got off at Koo Wee Rup and discovered her nephew was not on the train. She just assumed that he had missed the train at Dandenong and would catch a later one. When the train arrived at Korumburra, the body of Alexander was found on the roof. At the Inquest, a witness, Mr Marchbank, said that he had seen Alexander in a first-class carriage and he seemed a bit confused. The theory of Detective-sergeant P. Sullivan was that the deceased, finding the corridor door leading to the second-class compartment locked, and probably thinking that Marchbank was a railway official who would raise a question on his ticket, climbed to the roof at the engine end as a temporary place for concealment. He may have become frightened at an overhead bridge some 300 yards from Clyde, and in lowering his body struck his chin and became sick. His hat had been found at Clyde.  The Coroner’s verdict was that on the night of June 7 at Korumburra railway station, Alexander Eastman was found dead on the roof of a railway carriage, having died by suffocation. There is no evidence to show how he got there, but I am of opinion that it was by his own act.  One mystery that wasn’t solved (according to The Argus reporter) was - A puzzling feature about the case, which seems to suggest foul play, is the fact that a gold band ring having Eastman's initials (A.G.E.) engraven upon it, which Miss Smith says he was wearing on the little finger of the left hand at Dandenong, was missing when the body was found. He had had the ring for some considerable time, and it fitted too well to permit of its dropping off. So, did the Coroner get it right? We will never know. (The Argus June 10 1919 and June 26, 1919)

On October 16, the South Bourke and Mornington Journal (SBMJ) reported that the London Bank, in Station street, a brick building, is now being enlarged by the banking chamber being built out to the footpath; it is also being made a two-storey building. This building is the old ANZ bank that closed in 2015 (because apparently making a profit of over 7 billion dollars that year clearly meant that they were struggling so had to shut the branch down.)

On the right is the E.S. & A Bank building, later the ANZ Bank,  that was enlarged, including the addition of a second floor, in 1919.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society photo

On November 20, the SBMJ published a report on the amount or traffic - passenger, parcels, goods and livestock - through local railway stations. Koo Wee Rup had £1,598 in passenger traffic - as a comparison Dandenong had £9,739 and Pakenham had £1,903. Dandenong also had the most parcel traffic - £2,140 worth, Koo Wee Rup had £486, overshadowed by Caldermeade which had £1,088 in parcel traffic.  Koo Wee Rup had, by far, the most Goods traffic £4,932 worth, with Tynong coming in second with £2,936 worth of Goods traffic. Dandenong also led in livestock traffic, £2,707 worth - not a surprise, as the Dandenong market was a major outlet for livestock in the region. You can see the full report, here.

Finally, the SBMJ reported on December 25, 1919 that a double line of rails to Dandenong is badly needed.  Nearly every day trains are held up until some other train arrives, and as the fires are kept going it means a big expense for coal, wear and tear and wages. Apart from the fact Koo Wee Rup no longer has a train, there is still only a one line rail from Dandenong to Cranbourne - so no change there over the past 100 years!

Local Railway returns 1918/1919

I came across this report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal (SBMJ) of November 20, 1919 about Railway returns in the SBMJ circuation district. 

South Bourke and Mornington Journal November 20, 1919

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66197122

As you might expect, Dandenong had the largest passenger traffic volume- £9,739, followed by Warragul, Springvale, Drouin, Pakenham, Clayton and then Koo Wee Rup, with £1,598. Dandenong also had the most parcel traffic, followed by Cranbourne and then Caldermeade, which I find extraordinary, as it is a very small town. Koo Wee Rup had, by far the most goods traffic £4,932 worth, with Tynong coming in second with £2,936 worth of goods traffic. Dandenong also led in livestock traffic, again not a surprise, as the Dandenong market was a major outlet for livestock in the region.

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1918

Here is a look back 100 years at what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1918. 1918, is of course, the year the Great War ended on November 11, so the local community was still involved in fundraising for the War effort, local men were still enlisting and soldiers who had served were returning home, but this article will mainly look at the other activities that went on in the area.

On Sunday, January 13 light rain began falling and by Monday the heaviest falls for some years occurred and there was 3 inches (75 ml) of rain in 48 hours. (Lang Lang Guardian January 19, 1918)

In the Dandenong Advertiser of January 31 there was this report - Mr P. Einsiedel, of ‘Myora Park’, Monomeith, who may be termed the ‘Cattle King’ of South Gippsland, last week sold to Mr E. Manifold, Camperdown, 420 bullocks and they are to be despatched to their western home by special train tomorrow. Back in the days when Monomeith had a railway station and cattle were carted by rail and not road. It would have been an impressive sight to see that many bullocks at the Monomeith Station. (Read the full report in the Dandenong Advertiser, here)

On March 9, the Lang Lang Guardian reported that the dredge is making satisfactory progress in widening and deepening the drain. It is now crossing the Yallock Creek and making towards Koo Wee Rup. This was the Lubecker Steam bucket dredge, imported from Germany by the Public Works Department Engineer, Carlo Catani, in 1913.

The Cranbourne Shire Health Inspector’s report was published in the Dandenong Advertiser on April 11. Dr Langley reported - The health of the shire has been very satisfactory, especially if we might judge by the very few cases of infectious diseases reported during 1917. There were 7 cases in all - three isolated, one case of diphtheria at Koo Wee Rup, two at Pearcedale, and one group (the McKay family) at Yallock, consisting of four cases. This outbreak at Yallock was looked into by your officers, and it was found that the disease was brought from the Infectious Diseases Hospital, where one child had been an inmate with scarlet fever. The premises and drainage were all in good condition and the house was fumigated. The Infectious Diseases Hospital had opened in 1904 at Fairfield and people with small pox, typhoid, scarlet fever, diphtheria etc were sent there for treatment and hopefully to isolate the outbreak of what could be fatal diseases.

On April 12, the Koo Wee Rup Red Cross met. The secretary, Miss Jack, reported sending to the Central depot for the quarter ending March 30 the following articles: 29 undershirts, 3 flannel shirts, 4 sets pyjamas, 18 handkerchiefs, 11 pairs of socks, 3 helmets, 8 scarves and 100 washers. (South Bourke and Mornington Journal, April 25 1918)

Also on April 12, Mr James Maroney the Station Master at Koo Wee Rup and his wife, Mary, were given a farewell, as he was taking up an appointment at Violet Town. Mr Maroney was presented with a wallet of notes and Mrs Maroney a prayer book, mounted in silver, by the ladies of the Church. (Lang Lang Guardian, April 20 1918)

The same article in the Lang Lang Guardian reported that Corporal Gilchrist and Privates Cochrane and McGree were warmly welcomed by a number of friends at the Railway Station. They later received a public welcome home at the Hall. (Lang Lang Guardian, April 20 1918). You can see a photo and more information about the Welcome Home, here, on one of my other blogs.

The Birregurra Times of July 23 had this to say about the Koo Wee Rup Sun - We have received the first issue of the ‘Koo-wee-rup Sun’ a well-written and cleanly-printed weekly. The journal, which is ably conducted by Mr G. F. Hopkins, should be a real acquisition to the whole of the Cranbourne shire, and if it goes on as it has started we predict a long and useful career for it. The Koo Wee Rup Sun was the successor to the Lang Lang Guardian.

Birregurra Times July 23, 1918

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153071082

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of July 31 reported on the unveiling of the the Yallock Roll of Honor  at the Yallock Hall (read report, here) The board, made of blackwood, contained the names and photos of 57 local boys. The Honor Board is now at the Lang Lang R.S.L. More information, including all the names of the soldiers, can be found here, on one of my other blogs.

There was a flood in the Koo Wee Rup area in September - water was a foot (30 cm) deep in the Koo Wee Rup North State School and the teacher, John Donald, had water waist deep through his house.  The report in the Koo Wee Rup Sun goes on to say that this building is situated in a position particularly liable to flood, for every freshet in the Five Mile drain causes inconvenience. During the two years of the present teacher's regime he has suffered no less than 23 floodings, a record that must surely reach the limit of exasperation. The structure was removed about 100 yards some time ago, to evade or try to minimise the risk, but without any relief.  Water was also a foot deep in the Koo Wee Rup North Hall. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 11, 1918 - see full report, here)

In October, Mr M.D. Dalley of Koo Wee Rup, wrote the following letter to the Farmers’ Advocate newspaper - Among the papers of my late father the following recipe was found; it has been used by him on many occasions, and found an excellent embrocation (lotion). For the benefit of farmers I give it: - 1 oz. Laudanum, 1 oz. Tincture of Myrrh; 1 oz. Tincture of Aloes; ½ oz. Sulphate of Zinc; 1 oz. Carbolic Acid. Mix with 5 oz. salad oil. 
For the young readers of this article, the word oz is the abbreviation for an ounce which is about 28 grams. These ingredients were obviously freely available at the time; I am not sure how you would access them all now. Laudanum is opium mixed with alcohol and, not surprisingly, no longer available at the local shops; Myrrh is a type of tree resin and was one of the gifts given by the Three Wise Men at the birth of Jesus; Aloes is made from the leaves of the aloe plant; Sulphate of Zinc is the dietary supplement; Carbolic Acid or phenol is used as an antibiotic or disinfectant and is considered to be a poison. Salad oil sounds like the least dangerous and easiest to obtain ingredient out of this list. As a matter of interest, Mr Dalley’s full name was Moorabool Darriwell Dalley, quite an unusual set of given names. He was born at Batesford, which is on the Moorabool River, and Darriwell is the name of a land administration Parish, just north of Batesford. Darriwell was also the name of the 1879 Melbourne Cup winner. (Farmers' Advocate October 4, 1918)

Farmers' Advocate  October 4, 1918

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223662270

In The Argus on December 19 there was a report headlined ‘Children without schooling’
Strong discontent is expressed over the delay of the Education department in providing a
School at Dalmore East. The residents have for 12 months past offered to provide and clear a site, but nothing has been done. There are about 40 children not receiving education, including families of returned soldiers, who were promised school facilities when they took up their blocks.  It is felt to be little short of a scandal that children within 40 miles of a big city have no means of acquiring education.  The school, on Island Road (and later called Island Road School)  eventually opened on June 23, 1919. The building they used was the original Koo Wee Rup State School located on the corner of Bethunes Road and the Bayles Road. This building was shifted into Koo Wee Rup in 1910 and used until a new school was built in 1915. Dalmore East closed in 1974 and in 1984 the building was shifted back into Koo Wee Rup and is now on the Primary School site.  Read the full Argus report, here. 

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1917

Here is a look at what happened in Koo Wee Rup  and surrounds 100 years ago. Naturally the town was still focused on the war effort, local men were still enlisting, sad news about injuries and deaths continued to arrive and the town was still raising money for the War effort and the comfort of soldiers, but this is a look at some of the other activities of the town.  These reports all come from the various newspapers available on Trove.  http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/

In February, an unnamed correspondent writing from Koo-Wee-Rup to the Dandenong Advertiser wrote We have a wretched train service on this line and I think it would be a God-send if a deputation, headed by Messrs Keast and Downward M.L A waited on the Department, urging something better….the Railway Department sends along a train service which is altogether preposterous and the conditions execrable in the extreme. Why the country people have no consideration at all, while the suburban travellers are pandered to. The letter writer goes on for another few paragraphs complaining about the Cranbourne Shire Councillors, Government waste and representatives [politicians] engrossed with their own private affairs.  So fast forward 100 years and many Koo Wee Rup citizens might be happy to have any sort of train service, even a wretched, execrable one! (Dandenong Advertiser, February 22 1917)

In May, it was widely reported that Carlo Catani had retired as Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department. A function was held on May 9 and the Premier of Victoria, Sir Alexander Peacock presented Mr Catani with an ‘Illuminated address’. Catani was responsible for the all drainage works on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp from 1893 and had been employed by the Public Works Department since his arrival in Melbourne from Italy (via New Zealand) in 1876.

On July 25, the Lang Lang Guardian reported the Koo Wee Rup Red Cross had despatched a number of items to Red Cross Central Depot to be sent to the soldiers overseas. Amongst the consignment were 57 flannel shirts, 13 sets of pyjamas, 30 handkerchiefs, 22 toilet bags, 72 pairs of socks, 8 balaclavas and 7 pairs of mittens.

The Lang Lang Guardian of October 17 had an obituary of an old Colonist, Mr Thomas Boxshall, who passed away at the age of 88 on September 14. Thomas had arrived in Melbourne in 1842 and took up land in Yallock in 1895. He was survived by ten children and had a son and four grandsons on active service. (Read the full obituary, here)

On October 19,  there was a report in the Powlett Express about three convicts who escaped from the penal settlement of French island. They got away in a boat and landed several miles from Koo-Wee-Rup where they engaged a motor car and were driven to Melbourne. They did not seem to be short of funds. A few days later two more convicts disappeared. The newspaper report goes on to say - The condition of this island establishment almost invites the indulgently treated persons to escape.  Thus even 100 years ago people were unsatisfied with the justice system. The McLeod prison farm was opened on French Island in 1916 and it closed in 1975. It was named after the Chief Secretary of Victoria, Donald McLeod, and one report said the prison was intended for the ‘worthier type of prisoner’ who would work on the prison farm and a pine plantation.

Powlett Express October 19 1917

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130664988

In early November at  Koo Wee Rup a serious accident which might have had a fatal termination occurred. Mr W.L McClure, Accountant, at the London Bank accidently knocked down the bank’s revolver and the weapon was discharged, the bullet striking him in the left groin and inflicting a dangerous wound. He was taken to a private hospital in Dandenong where an operation was successfully performed… and he is now making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Apart from feeling very sorry for Mr McClure this report is an indication of how times have changed - Banks no longer have their own loaded revolver, lying around (which is probably a good thing) and can you just imagine the massive amount of paperwork that would be generated by this sort of accident today - a Worksafe Inquiry, a Police Inquiry, an internal Bank Inquiry at a minimum. (Report from The Argus, November 5 1917)

The first weekend in December 1917 was a busy time for the town of Koo Wee Rup as there were two well attended events - a Flower Show and the Dedication of the Anglican Church.

On December 6 and 7 the first Horticultural show and exhibition of home products in connection with the Presbyterian Church took place in the Koo-Wee-Rup Hall and the results surpassed expectations. The Lang Lang Guardian records the names of about 150 prize winners in 10 different categories - blooms, arranged baskets of flowers, potatoes, baked items, butter and preserves, fancy work (embroidery and sewing) and a number of categories for children.  The paper reports that in the produce class some very fine sample of what the district can cultivate were shown and in many instances the judges had difficulty in making a decision. (Full report Lang Lang Guardian December 15, 1917, read it here)

On the same weekend on the afternoon of December 7, the Bishop of Gippsland, the Right Reverend George Cranswick, officiated at the dedication of St George’s Anglican Church. The Secretary of the Church, Mr Adeney, read a petition from the Board of Guardians asking the Bishop to dedicate the Church. The Bishop started at the font, then went to the lectern, chancel steps and communion table before which different members of the Clergy read appropriate chapters from the Scriptures. In the evening a baptism was performed and twenty people were confirmed. The Church closed in 2012 and the congregation moved to the Uniting Church. (Full report Lang Lang Guardian, December 15, 1917, read it here)

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1916

This is a look at what happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1916, 100 years ago. These references all come from digitized newspapers available on Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper  There were many references to the War and how the community was supporting the war effort, but this is mainly a look at the non military activities in the town.

The Australasian of February 5, reported that local potato and onion growers complained to the Railway department that they could not get their produce away promptly on the rail and that owing to the delay during hot weather the potatoes shrivel up.

On another railway matter on March 30 the Ballarat Courier had a report that the McDonalds Track Railway (or the Strzelecki line) construction was abandoned due to the scarcity of rails and the difficulty of obtaining them. The line was finally opened on June 29, 1922.

The Argus on April 5 reported that the Post Office at Koo Wee Rup had been connected to the telephone trunk line between Springvale and Korumburra.

The Argus April 5, 1916

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2097150

The Lang Lang Guardian of April 19 reported that Mr Ward, a resident of Koo Wee Rup picked up a bottle on the Kilcunda Beach and it contained the following note, dated March 10:  From two boys bound for the Front on the Star of England A15. Having a good trip; a lot of the boys had a bad time on the first night out. Would finder kindly drop Mrs Brown, 170 Albert Street Newtown a line just for the novelty and also to my mother Mrs Feehan, Edward Street Adelaide. Wishing you luck and good bye. From two soldiers boys J. Feehan and J. McPherson. On the back was written - Will see you when we get back. This note was written three days after sailing. We can just sight Melbourne.  J. Feehan was John Walter Feehan and he survived the War; I have no information about his mate, J. McPherson. (Read the article, here)

The Argus on April 27 reported that the Main Drain had a siltation problem due to a build up of sand which varied in depth from four feet to seven feet. The sand was so vast at the 10-mile (just east of Cora Lynn), that it needed to be removed to prevent inundation of the adjoining land. It was estimated that the removal would cost about £20,000, unless it could be used in some commercial way such as in concrete.

The South Bourke and Mornington Journal of June 22 had a report on the state of a drain in Station Street. The defective drainage of Station Street about five years ago was said to be responsible for the death of Mrs Laurie, who was stricken with typhoid fever. The drain in front of her premises was filled with evil smelling stagnant water. A few months ago a young man from adjoining premises was seized with typhoid fever. Fortunately he recovered. The drain is certainly a menace to health….it is hoped that the Board of Health will order it to be  thoroughly disinfected and made so that stagnant water will not be in front of shops and dwellings. 

The Lang Lang Guardian of September 13, reported on the return billiard match between Lang Lang and Koo Wee Rup at the Palace Hotel. Total scores were Lang Lang 564 and Koo-Wee-Rup 487. The individual results were - Eason 150 points beat Smith 85; Keighery 114 lost to Donnelly 150; Athelstane 150 beat Boag 108 and Henderson 150 beat Bickett 144.

Lang Lang Guardian September 13, 1916

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513925

The Dandenong Advertiser of September 28 reported on recent floods which caused enormous damage and great suffering in many homes.  Sadly Lyle Raymond Loveday was drowned whilst out rabbiting. The paper reports that the boy was an exceptionally promising lad and would have been 12 years old on the day after the fatality. A son of Mr T. Cunningham of Tynong was also drowned in a drain in front of his house. Mrs Cunningham saw her son disappear, but was powerless to save him. The flood waters had broken through the McDonald, Seven Mile and McGregor drains.  The report goes on to say that the Dalmore country is submerged, most of the settlers having managed to wade or drive to Koo Wee Rup. (Read the article, here)

On November 22, the Lang Lang Guardian reported on a Ball held in aid of the Red Cross - over £3 was raised. The winner of the best lady’s costume was Miss Daisy Morden as Peace - her prize was a case of cutlery donated by Mrs D. McNamara of the Royal Hotel.  Mrs Cochrane representing Spring was second. Other costumes, all of a patriotic and imperialistic nature, were Miss M. Saunders - The Allies; Mrs Boag - Victory; Miss Williams - Red Cross nurse; Miss Cameron - Britannia; Mrs Scanlan - Lady Doctor and Miss A. Dixon - Anzac.

From the Lang Lang Guardian of December 20, 1916. The annual examinations conducted by the London College of Music were held in Koo Wee Rup. Pupils from as far away as Fish Creek, Korumburra and Wonthaggi were present as well as those closer to home from Tooradin, Clyde and Cranbourne. Miss Harris was the Koo Wee Rup Music teacher and she ‘presented’ twelve pupils of whom eleven passed. Miss V. Rundle and Miss M. Ryan became an Associate of the London College of Music, having received 82% and 80% on their examinations. As a matter of interest, all the students could have arrived in Koo Wee Rup for their music examinations by train - Tooradin, Clyde, Cranbourne, Fish Creek and Korumburra were all on the Great Southern line and the students from Wonthaggi would have caught the train from there to the rail junction at Nyora and then continued onto Koo Wee Rup. (See full report, here)

The same report, as above, also lists results from the Koo Wee Rup State School. Merit Certificates (awarded at the end of Grade 8) were obtained by Eric Glasscock, Arnold Eason, Claude Einsiedel, John Shelton, Stanley Coates, Edward Leeson, Bessie Colvin, Hope Dalley and Beryl Morden. Eric and Arnold also won awards for the best scholars in the school and Edward and Bessie  won a prize for the best essay on ‘The history of the British Navy’ not a topic that I imagine many Year 8 students would be required to write essays on today!  Qualifying Certificates (end of Year 6) were awarded to Violet Johnson, Henry Thompson, David Mickle and George Burhop. The awards were presented at a picnic held in the school grounds, where there was a large attendance of parents and friends who provided the children with an inexhaustible supply of dainties.

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1915

This is what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1915, 100 years ago. These references all come from digitized newspapers available on Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper  There were many references to the War and the soldiers who enlisted and served, but this is a look at the non military activities in the town.

The year started off with an arrest -  Elizabeth Allen, a resident of Fitzroy, was arrested on warrant by Constable Anstee on Mr. Strafford's farm, Iona, on Tuesday. Allen and her husband band were digging potatoes on Koo-wee-rup Swamp and she had a serious quarrel with another married woman named Ellen Fielder on Tuesday morning. It is alleged that Allen went into the house occupied by Mrs. Fielder, and pulled her out of bed on to the road by the hair. Mrs. Fielder issued a warrant, and Allen was locked up on a charge of assault. She was admitted to bail, and will appear to answer the charge to-day  (The Argus January 7, 1915)

On January 8, the Wonthaggi Licensing Court granted  Denis McNamara a licence to operate a Hotel in Koo Wee Rup. This Hotel was named the Royal Hotel and opened in Koo Wee Rup on September 9, 1915. There were six applications to open a hotel at Koo Wee Rup, you can read about them, here.
(Powlett Express, January 15 1915)

On February 24 the Lang Lang Guardian reported on a severe storm in Yannathan. The storm was described as unprecedented.   All day the weather had been threatening, and thunder showers which visited other parts of the district left this locality untouched. But at about 4 o'clock, while about 30 ladies and gentlemen were witnessing a cricket match in Mr Stewart's paddock between the Lang Lang and Yannathan teams, a densely black cloud, lit up constantly by vivid flashes of lightning, was seen approaching from the south-west. When the first drops of rain fell players and spectators left the field for the shelter of the Mechanics' Hall, and while there the storm burst, and for about ten minutes the elements were in almost indescribable tumult. A hurricane blew jinkers about the hall yard, and everything in the shape of boxes and loose timber was lifted by its violence. Then something in the nature of a cloud-burst descended, and rain and pieces of ice fell in such density that looking across towards the Union Church, only a shadowy outline of the building could, be seen, and the hall yard was soon under water. Deafening peals of thunder and constant flames of lightning combined with the downpour, and twice the crash of a falling tree was heard. The door of the church being opened, all made a dash from the hall and entered, but were drenched in doing so. As suddenly as it broke, the storm abated, and very little rain fell during the remainder of the afternoon. 
Sadly, the storm also caused a fatality - seventeen year old Don Cameron, who was employed by Mr W.H. Gardiner, of Yannathan. He was working in a paddock was struck and instantly killed by lightning. His parents were from Beaconsfield and he was buried at Berwick Cemetery.

On March 3, the Lang Lang Guardian had a report headlined 'Tramps at Koo Wee Rup' - For some years past residents of the Swamp have complained, without any remedy being applied, of the great nuisance of tramps camping at the bridges and frightening horses. An example of the real danger of this habit was given on Saturday morning last, when Mr R. Glen was conveying a load of potatoes in a dray, and when at Mallcotl's crossing the horse shied at a couple of tramps camped at the bridge; with the result that the dray was capsised and the potatoes tipped into the drain. Mr Glen was thrown out of the dray and was badly shaken, but it was wonderful that be did not sustain severe injuries.

In March the Koo Wee Rup Railway Station handled 54,000 bags of potatoes and 14,500 bags of chaff, the whole of £24,000 (Lang Lang Guardian April 21, 1915)

Lang Lang Guardian April 28, 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13333589

In April there was an unusual sighting of an aeroplane flying over Koo Wee Rup - see the report above.

In July a 'Plain and Fancy Dress Ball' was held at Koo Wee Rup. The successful ball was a fund raiser for the Red Cross. Over 220 people attended the ball at the Mechanics' Institute (Hall) and £22 was raised. You can see a list of some of the participants and how they were dressed, here, in the Lang Lang Guardian of July 28, 1915.

Constable Anstee was busy again in September, when he along with Constable Allen seized a large quantity of whisky, beer, and stout in cases from the store owned by John, A. Kirwan at Iona. The report goes on to say that for some time the police have suspected that there was trafficking in liquor at Iona, and they watched the store owned by John A. Kirwan. They saw a man leaving the store with a bottle of whisky, and he admitted to the police that he obtained the liquor at Kirwan's. Kirwan was charged with having trafficked in liquor illicitly. (Dandenong Advertiser September 23, 1915) Kirwan's store was actually at Vervale (Main Drain Road south and Fourteen Mile) and was taken over in 1916 by James and Edith McMannis, read about this, here.)

We will finish with this report about a 'Cinematograph' entertainment at Yallock held on November 25. A cinematograph is a motion picture film camera, which also serves as a film projector and printer. It was invented in the 1890s in Lyon by Auguste and Louis Lumière - according to Wikipedia.

Lang Lang Guardian December 1, 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513192